KUCHING: The people of Dalat fully support the initiative of the state government to develop the sago industry with zero waste, said its assemblywoman Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She pointed out that sago is one of the major agricultural commodities which contributed to Sarawak’s revenue and that as the leading sago producer in Malaysia, Sarawak exported sago starch produce worth RM80 million to RM90 million every year.
“Mukah Division produces about 88 percent of the total sago production in the state and 52 percent of the sago production in Mukah comes from rumbia plantations in Dalat.
“Dalat has six sago mills while another one is in Mukah,” she told reporters after the launch of the new Taska Qaseh Laila I building at Jalan Bampfylde here on Monday (Oct 19).
She was referring to the newest collaboration between Craun Research Sdn Bhd and Knowledge Integration Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Nitsei Sago Industries Sdn Bhd.
The parties signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on developing a pilot project on biogas distribution from sago liquid waste for household use.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at UCSI Hotel here on Monday morning (Oct 19).
Fatimah, who is also the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister, further explained that there was a lot of waste from the sago production.
“The waste is not treated and goes straight into the river.
“With the new pilot project initiated to turn the waste into wealth, the local people can benefit from the waste, reduce pollution, and then leverage on green technology.
“This is doable as the waste will be turned into biogas and from there, it will later be channelled to local households. They will be able to use the after-product to cook. This is part of green technology,” she elaborated.
Fatimah hoped that Sarawak Rumbia Board, a statutory body for sago would be set up in the future following the likes of the existing of Sarawak Pepper Board and Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board.
